Sensory activities are a fun and engaging way for toddlers to explore the world around them and learn through their senses. It’s not exactly mess free play and if that’s what you’re looking for.. click here!
When I first heard about sensory activities, I wasn’t quite sure what they were. But after trying out a few with my toddler, I realized that they are activities that engage all of the senses – sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell – to help toddlers learn and grow. And the best part is, you can easily do these activities at home with materials you probably already have.
So grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and let’s dive into the world of sensory activities for toddlers!
Sensory Activities to Help Your Toddler Explore the World
Sensory Bins
These are a great way for your little ones to explore the world around them while engaging their senses.
A sensory bin is essentially a container filled with materials that encourage sensory exploration. I really like these little sensory tables on amazon too. Think of it as a mini adventure for your child’s senses! The materials used can vary, but some popular options include rice, beans, sand, and water beads. I actually really love these pre made sensory bins too.
To create a sensory bin, you’ll need a container, some materials to fill it with, and some tools for scooping and pouring. We’ve used plastic bins and even a small inflatable pool as containers, and found that spoons, measuring cups, and small shovels work well for scooping and pouring.
Once you have your materials and tools, it’s easy to put together a sensory bin. Simply fill your container with your chosen materials and let your child explore! We like to switch up the materials every so often to keep things interesting.
The benefits of sensory bins are numerous. Not only do they encourage sensory exploration, but they also help with fine motor skills, language development, and imaginative play. We’ve found that sensory bins are a great way to keep our little ones entertained while also promoting learning and development.
If you’re looking for more ideas for sensory play, check out some of the other activities we have lined up for you!
Play Doh
Now let’s talk about playdough! Making your own homemade playdough is super easy, and it’s a great sensory activity for your little ones. I love getting these little containers of playdoh from Amazon every once in a while just because the little containers are easier to keep track of during playtime I find.
To make homemade playdough, you’ll need flour, salt, cream of tartar, water, and food coloring. We like to use natural food coloring to avoid any unnecessary additives. All you need to do is mix the dry ingredients together, then add the wet ingredients and food coloring. Cook the mixture on the stove for a few minutes, stirring constantly, and voila! Homemade playdough. There are TONS of recipes online too if you wanted to find a different recipe. Pinterest is a great help in this department.
Playing with playdough is not only fun, but it also has some great benefits. It helps with fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. There are so many different ways to play with playdough, from rolling it out and cutting shapes, to using it as a sensory base for other materials like beads or buttons.
One thing to keep in mind when playing with playdough is safety. It’s important to make sure your child doesn’t put the playdough in their mouth, and to wash hands thoroughly before and after playing. You can also make your own playdough using edible ingredients for younger children who are more likely to put things in their mouth.
If you’re looking for more sensory activities, check out some of the other activities we have lined up for you!
Water Play
Water play is always a hit with my little ones! It’s a great sensory activity that also helps with coordination and gross motor skills. Not to mention they can get entertained for quite a while when water is involved.
Setting up a safe water play area is super easy. I like to use a plastic baby pool or a large plastic bin, and fill it with a few inches of water. I also lay down A LOT of towels haha. You can use a sensory table like this for indoor water play…that’s what I do!
Make sure to supervise your child at all times when they’re playing in the water, and make sure they’re not left unattended. You can also add some toys or materials to the water, like cups, sponges, or rubber ducks, to encourage exploration and imaginative play.
The benefits of water play are numerous. It can help with hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and even language development. Plus, it’s a great way for your little one to cool off on a hot day!
If you’re looking for more water play ideas, check out some of the other activities we have lined up for you!
Nature Walks
Nature walks are simply amazing. It’s a fun and engaging way for our kids to explore and learn while enjoying the great outdoors.
So, what exactly is a sensory walk? It’s a specially designed path or trail that’s meant to stimulate your little one’s senses. You can create one in your own backyard or find a local park that has one.
The path is usually made up of a variety of different materials and textures, such as sand or grass. We like to switch it up and go to the parks nearby, or drive to new locations when the weather is great. You don’t always have to wait for good weather, all weather is good weather for kids..but I’m not perfect in this department.
Creating your own sensory walk is easy and doesn’t require many materials. We like to use a range of objects and materials, such as wooden blocks, pool noodles, and natural materials like leaves and flowers.
Musical Instruments
Your toddler can really enjoy musical instruments, and even drive you a little bit nuts with it. But even so, it’s really great for them to explore music. I got my toddlers a set of instruments like this.
I just find it so important to have them in the house, and even though the sound and noise from the instruments can sometimes trigger me to get a little irrational, I still find more value in the instrument due to all the learning they do when they play.
Musical instruments stimulate the hearing senses as well as the touch and feel senses!
Sensory Activities And Your Toddler
Sensory play is a pretty big part of a child’s early development and can be done inside or outside..in all the seasons. Through sensory activities, children can explore and understand the world around them, develop their motor skills, and enhance their cognitive abilities while having some messy playtime.
I’ve shared with you five fun and engaging sensory activities that you can easily do at home with your little ones. Remember that sensory activities DO NOT need to be complicated. Sensory bins, playdough, water play, sensory walks, and musical instruments are all great ways to promote sensory exploration and creativity.
It’s important to remember that sensory play doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You can use everyday items from around your home to create a fun and engaging sensory experience for your child.
So, we encourage you to try these activities with your child and see how much fun they can have while learning and growing. Remember, every child develops at their own pace, so don’t worry if your child doesn’t seem interested in a particular activity at first. Keep trying, and you may be surprised by what they end up enjoying.
I loved this post about 5 sensory activities to help my toddler explore the world around them. The suggestions were creative, easy to implement, and engaging for both my child and myself. I especially appreciated the focus on sensory development and the explanations of how each activity can benefit my child’s growth and learning. Thank you for sharing these fun and educational ideas!